Understanding Human Error in Naval Aviation Mishaps

This was interesting – it studied 95 severe naval aviation mishaps. The incidents were evaluated using the DoD HFACS model, the applicability of HFACS was then evaluated , and then a sample of events thematically evaluated a sample of events. They drew on the delineation of errors into performance-based (PBE) and judgement/decision-making (JDME), as per…

Learning from Complexity: Effects of Prior Accidents and Incidents on Airlines’ Learning

This was a really cool—albeit challenging—read. They explored variation in US commercial airline learning, namely whether airlines learn more from incidents with heterogeneous or homogeneous causes. Caveat – this is from 2002 and the data 1983 – 1997. Some work indicated that exposure to heterogeneous experiences may be more effective for learning via: 1) variance…

Order from chaos: A meta-analysis of supply chain complexity and firm performance

This meta-analysis explored the links between supply chain complexity and firm performance. 102 independent samples from 123 studies were examined. Key findings: ·        While supply chain complexity is generally detrimental to firm performance, it isn’t always ·        Hence, supply chain complexity “can be both dysfunctional and strategic” ·        It negatively impacted operational performance, primarily in terms of cost…

The presence and potential impact of psychological safety in the healthcare setting: an evidence synthesis

This 2021 evidence synthesis study on psychological safety in healthcare may interest people. It: 1. Synthesised existing literature investigating psychological safety in healthcare workers 2. Identified the methods used to assess psychological safety in healthcare workers 3. Reviewed the literature for evidence of consequences of high or low psychological safety (Note. If you’re after the…

Repairing damaged professional relationships with leader apologies: An examination of trust and forgiveness

This explored the role that different apology types had in rebuilding professional relationships between a leader and team member. Four studies were employed. Providing background: ·       “Professional relationships are a vital part of organizational life, but such relationships are sometimes fraught with negative interpersonal interactions where one party offends the other” ·       Negative transgressions can…

Identifying the typical biases and their significance in the current safety management approaches

This is an interesting 2010 conference paper, discussing a range of biases in safety management practices, and their possible consequences for safety. Note that this isn’t focused on cognitive biases, but more structural and belief systems. They focus on four themes: 1) beliefs about individual behaviour 2) beliefs about organisations 3) safety models 4) safety…

Improving risk matrix design using heatmaps and accessible colors

Here’s one of many articles providing suggestions on improving risk matrices (RMs). Link to full article in comments. Note: A) There’s lots written on this topic (e.g. dozens of such articles and I have a textbook focusing purely on RM design which I’m working out how to summarise); so this article won’t cover every relevant…

Complexity and Change: Antecedents of occupational injuries

This study explored the links between complexity (operational, supply chain and market) and change on occupational injuries. They sought to answer the following question using secondary data from global companies listed in the US: ·         Do the absolute level of complexity and changes in the level of complexity exert a negative effect on a company’s…

Fatal vs non-fatal injury types found to be “measurably different”; calls for a ‘new paradigm’ in managing SIFs

This 2015 paper explored the differences between SIFs and no-SIFs – finding the underlying factors to be “measurably different”. Summary posted soon. They drew on data from seven multinational organisations: monthly injury data (fatal and non-fatal), comprehensive narratives for all serious injuries over the past 2 years and a sample of non-SIFs. Key findings: ·        A…

Leader apologies to followers – the type of apology influences the rebuilding of trust and forgiveness

Does the type of apology from a leader to a follower matter for rebuilding trust and forgiveness? Yes, according to this new study. Summary next week. This study explored five different apology types in repairing the relationship between leaders and followers, based on a negative transgression from the leader. They hypothesised that the sincere expression…